Philosophy for Children Part six: Martin Heidegger and Technology

Sometimes the situation can go in such a direction that people think that they need technology for everything in their life, such as using phones and computers all the time.

Martin Heidegger is the name of a famous philosopher who had interesting thoughts about technology. He thought that technology is not just about machines and tools. He believes that sometimes the situation can go in such a direction that people think that they need technology for everything in their lives, such as the constant use of phones and computers.

In other words, Heidegger says that when people rely on technology for everything, they may forget that there are other important things like spending time with family and friends or enjoying nature. Heidegger thought that technology can become like a big umbrella that covers everything and people may forget to look at what is under the umbrella.

According to Heidegger, people should not forget that the control of the technology used is in their hands and not the other way around. You might think this is obvious, but it’s not. If people are not careful when and how they use technology, there is a chance that it will completely take over their lives.

Heidegger also said it’s important for people to get away from technology sometimes, like going for a walk or playing outside. He thought it could help people remember what’s really important in life, like being kind to others and having fun.

In short, Heidegger thought that although technology is useful, people should not let everything in life be controlled by technology and should remember that they are the managers of technology; Therefore, you should take time to enjoy the things of life. We may enjoy watching the stars at night, but if our eyes are weak, we must wear glasses to correct this defect. So here, technology helps us to enjoy life.

Think Station:

• Look around you. See what technologies are around you?
• Do these technologies have any disadvantages?
• To what extent is technology for us and the environment in which we live? it is harmful?

A Short story:

Once upon a time in a beautiful land, two children named Lily and Laleh lived. Lily and Laleh’s parents wanted their children to know about technology. They bought a tablet for the children so that they can watch educational videos or read research and scientific writings with it.

At first, the children were excited and happy about the gift they had received.

They learned how to count or draw numbers with the help of fun apps.

Over time, Lily and Leila became more and more dependent on the tablet and spent long hours looking at the screen. Their parents noticed a change in their behavior. Having a tablet, they started neglecting other toys and outdoor activities. Seeing these events, their parents decided to limit the use of tablets for a while. They wanted kids to know that we need to balance the use of technology.

At first, the children resisted the new rules, but with patience, they saw the benefits of this decision. They rediscovered the joy of playing with their toys and exploring the outdoors. They also learned to express their creativity through drawing, writing and imaginative play. Instead of focusing on their activities, the tablet became just one of the learning and entertainment tools.

Through this experience, Lily and Leila learned valuable lessons about balance. They realized that while technology can be fun and educational, it’s important to enjoy other activities and spend time with family and friends. With the guidance of their parents, they developed a healthy relationship with technology.